Cholera Outbreak Threat in Mariupol, Ukraine: "Drinking Water Contaminated by Decomposed Corpses"

Mariupol Mayor's Advisor: "Corrupt Corpses and Trash Piles Contaminate Drinking Water"

In March, an obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Mariupol, a southern port city of Ukraine, was reduced to ruins by indiscriminate bombing by Russian forces.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Lee Gyehwa Intern Reporter] Concerns about the spread of infectious diseases are rising in Mariupol, a southeastern Ukrainian port city occupied by Russian forces. Foreign media reported that drinking water is contaminated and insufficient due to decaying corpses and piles of garbage, and many medical facilities have been destroyed, making the city vulnerable to cholera and other diseases.

On the 7th (local time), according to US CNBC, Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, appeared on Ukrainian TV and stated, "The city's water and sewage systems have been contaminated by decaying garbage and corpses," adding that the risk of cholera, dysentery, and other diseases has increased.

Advisor Andriushchenko said, "The humanitarian situation in Mariupol is worsening," and "The word 'cholera' is being heard more and more among officials and observers. The epidemic has already begun."

He urged, "The threat of cholera bacteria is recognized not only by the World Health Organization (WHO) and our officials but also by the residents," and added, "The situation is very dangerous. The Russian side must allow epidemiologists into the city to control the local situation."

Cholera bacteria, classified as a second-class infectious disease, is a gastrointestinal infection that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea. The incubation period is known to be 1 to 5 days, and if dehydration symptoms and muscle cramps persist, it can lead to death.

Decaying corpses throughout Mariupol are identified as the cause of cholera. Due to Russia's continuous bombardment last month to secure control over Mariupol, medical facilities and water and sewage infrastructure in the city are currently destroyed.

The Mariupol City Council pointed out via Telegram, "Corpses are rotting under the rubble of hundreds of high-rise buildings. These literally become toxins floating in the air."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.